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The Tree of Ténéré Was Very Lonely

September 21, 2015

Written byCuriosity Staff

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The Tree of Ténéré was an acacia tree located in the desert of central Niger. Its utter isolation led to its status as a symbol of life in the harsh landscape, and caravans used it as a landmark when they traveled across the sands. The tree's roots spread for at least 12 meters (40 feet) to absorb any available water, but they failed to keep the tree upright when it was hit by a truck in 1973.